Fourie, Libbok tick boxes in Tonga outing as business end at World Cup nears

In Toulon

Manie Libbok and Deon Fourie required different personal outcomes from Sunday's 49-18 win against Tonga and, once they were achieved, the team benefited significantly.

Libbok, who came off the bench in the 51st minute to replace Handre Pollard, had to show off the tweaks made to his goalkicking during the week.

He had two touchline conversions, which he slotted, while the one from the final try was the easiest of the lot.

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Libbok's kicking has been under intense scrutiny throughout the Southern Hemisphere winter, peaking in the 13-8 loss to Ireland in Paris on 23 September.

The Stormers pivot said he had been working on his kicking and the technique flaw that has been a bugbear over the past week.

"It's something I've worked hard on in the past week or so, so I'm really happy that it came off nicely in the game," Libbok said.

"Handre also kicked very well, so I'm very happy. I didn't change my technique, but there was something wrong and I fixed that.

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"I was falling off my kicks, which is why I was pulling them wide, but I've sorted that out and I know it's something I have to get right.

"I've worked hard on it and I'm happy."

Fourie, on the other hand, was drafted in to start at hooker, a role he excelled in enough to be awarded the man of the match accolade.

He had two dry runs from the bench against Ireland and Romania as the Boks adapted to Malcolm Marx's absence.

However, the Tonga game necessitated Bongi Mbonambi being rested, and Fourie stepped up to hold his own before moving to flank to accommodate Marco van Staden at hooker.

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